The praise, the problem, and possibilities with Dolphins running backs
A position-by-position series breaking down each of the Miami Dolphins’ units, assessing where the team stands heading into the 2025 offseason, and examining what could possibly be done through free agency and the NFL draft.
TAILBACK
▪ The praise: De’Von Achane followed up his sensational rookie season, a year where he became the NFL’s record-holder in yards per carry, by becoming the first Dolphins player to have at least 750 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards within a single season.
He was the only player in the NFL with 900-plus rushing yards and 550-plus receiving yards. Achane finished the season with 907 rushing yards on 203 carries (4.5 avg.) with six rushing touchdowns, along with 78 receptions for 592 yards (7.6 avg.) and six receiving touchdowns.
If the offensive line was better, and maybe if Achane hadn’t missed a game because of a concussion and battled through an ankle injury early, he possibly wouldn’t have been 93 yards shy of his first 1,000 yards rushing season.
Achane’s 1,499 scrimmage yards were the fifth-most yards produced by a skill position player in Dolphins history. The only players who surpassed him are Ricky Williams and Tyreek Hill, who each did it twice.
▪ The problem: A year after leading the NFL with yards per carry (5.1), and ranking second in rushing yards produced (2,308), Miami’s run game fell off a cliff.
The Dolphins averaged 4.0 yards per carry, which ranked 28th, and nearly half a yard below the NFL average per carry. Miami produced 1,795 rushing yards, which ranked Miami 21st. Plenty of Miami’s struggles running the ball can be blamed on the struggles of the offensive line, especially after Austin Jackson was shelved by his knee injury after eight games. There was a six-game stretch after losing Jackson that the Dolphins averaged 3.0 yards per carry.
Outside of Achane’s performance, there was very little to brag about from the Dolphins backfield. Raheem Mostert, who put together a Pro Bowl season in 2023, struggled with injuries most of 2024 and made critical turnovers that cost Miami points, if not the wins in two games (Indianapolis and Buffalo).
Mostert finished the season with 278 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 85 carries, and 19 receptions for 161 yards. It was one of his least-productive seasons, and his disappointing 3.3 yards per carry average, which is a career low, makes you wonder if the soon-to-be 33-year-old has lost a step. Because none of Mostert’s contract is guaranteed in 2024, don’t be surprised to see Miami release him to create $3 million in cap space.
But that move would leave the Dolphins thin at tailback, and void of a team leader. Jaylen Wright, the former University of Tennessee standout the Dolphins selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, averaged 3.7 yards per carry on his 68 attempts, which hints that he’s not ready to step forward and carry a heavier load.
▪ The possibilities: The Dolphins need to resurrect the run game, making it more reliable, which will benefit the passing game (by opening up the big play) and the defense (time of possession provides defenders more rest).
That journey probably starts with beefing up the offensive line, upgrading the guard spots. However, expect Mostert to be released or shaken down for a pay cut, and Jeff Wilson, who sparingly played in 2024, will be a free agent.
Fullback Alec Ingold, a 2023 Pro Bowler who sparingly contributed and battled injuries in 2024, is also slated to earn $3.7 million this upcoming season, and might be targeted for a contract restructuring. If Ingold were released he’d create $1.7 million in cap space.
If Miami goes the cheap route, Achane and Wright will be the only returners. But that would force Miami’s decision-makers to find two new tailbacks and a fullback in the draft and free agency.
With Miami in possession of the 13th pick in the 2025 Draft the Dolphins will likely be able to select Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who is viewed as one of this draft’s elite talents. The problem with that is tailback isn’t a position of need, and Miami’s resources would be better utilized elsewhere.
Miami would benefit from adding a bruiser like University of Miami’s Damien Martinez, who averaged 5.7 yards per carry for 823 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He’ll likely be available in day three of the draft.
